Synonyms of disputes

disputes 1 of 2

noun

plural of dispute

1

as in controversies

variance of opinion on a matter

a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• controversies
• disputations
• disagreements
• debates
• differences
• contestations
• contentions
• dissensions
• difficulties
• firestorms
• conflicts
• clashes
• conflictions
• nonconcurrences
• quarrels
• arguments
• discords
• dissensuses
• collisions
• fights
• dissonances
• struggles
• misunderstandings
• altercations
• strifes
• bickers
• disaccords
• divisions
• combats
• divarications
• fallings-out
• kickups
• set-tos

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreements
• harmonies
• accords
• consensuses
• acceptances
• compliances
• unanimities
• concords
• peaces

2

as in disagreements

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions

after much dispute, the school committee decided that all backpacks would have to be stored in lockers during class hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disagreements
• quarrels
• altercations
• controversies
• fights
• arguments
• bickers
• misunderstandings
• brawls
• squabbles
• disputations
• skirmishes
• wrangles
• imbroglios
• feuds
• clashes
• spats
• tiffs
• rows
• debates
• contretemps
• differences
• battles royal
• cross fires
• donnybrooks
• fallings-out
• rhubarbs
• tussles
• scraps
• hassles
• kickups
• argle-bargles
• set-tos
• tangles
• argy-bargies
• protests
• contentions
• objections
• vendettas
• attacks
• protestations
• dissensions
• run-ins
• logomachies
• fisticuffs
• catfights
• affrays
• melees
• fracases
• fusses
• frays
• free-for-alls

disputes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dispute

1

as in challenges

to demand proof of the truth or rightness of

a whole slew of relatives eager to dispute his claim to being the sole heir

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenges
• questions
• contests
• doubts
• queries
• protests
• calls in question
• impeaches
• oppugns
• opposes
• objects (to)
• mistrusts
• fights
• resists
• kicks (about)
• combats

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believes
• accepts
• embraces
• defends
• supports
• swallows
• advocates
• backs
• promotes
• champions
• endures
• tolerates
• abides
• stomachs

2

as in bickers

to express different opinions about something often angrily

hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bickers
• quarrels
• argues
• fights
• clashes
• squabbles
• debates
• brawls
• wrangles
• tiffs
• spats
• rows
• quibbles
• controverts
• hassles
• scraps
• locks horns
• falls out
• jars
• discusses
• brabbles
• altercates
• argufies
• mixes it up
• bandies words
• challenges
• butts heads
• contests
• contends
• dares
• protests
• tangles
• objects
• defies
• fusses
• cavils
• kicks
• nitpicks
• considers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agrees
• accepts
• consents
• coexists
• concurs
• gets along
• assents

3

as in debates

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion

in an extended session the city council disputed the need for a new high school

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debates
• discusses
• argues
• reviews
• talks over
• moots
• canvasses
• agitates
• bats (around or back and forth)
• bandies
• hashes (over or out)
• raises
• speaks (about)
• talks (about)
• considers
• propounds
• stirs up
• weighs
• introduces
• broaches
• talks out
• hammers out
• forges
• thrashes (out)
• deliberates
• wrestles (with)
• chews over

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disputes

Noun

The June agreement collapsed after disputes over the memo's vague wording, including language related to who would control the strait. — Ava Pukatch, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026

Makary's time at the agency was defined by scientific disputes, leadership changes and a string of media stories detailing low morale and internal dysfunction among staffers. — Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

The study identified contested trust disputes by examining thousands of civil filings that were scheduled to come before San Francisco Superior Court between 2014 and 2020. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Amid ongoing disputes that have rattled a city office at the center of complaints for months, a grievance is pending in which a worker claims unfair treatment, discrimination and that he was denied a deserved promotion. — Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Texas has been a battleground for sharia disputes There has been substantive anti-sharia action in Texas. — David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Expectations are low for the meeting, the third in less than a year, given their lingering disputes over trade and deep competition over AI. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Perhaps sport’s more important diplomatic contribution isn’t resolving disputes at all. — Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026

The Johannesburg Crisis Alliance has blamed the disruptions on labor disputes, financial constraints, and an aging fleet. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

The Israeli military disputes the film’s account, and it is entitled to do so. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

But Kalkanis disputes the claim that Maldonado’s actions rise to the level of official misconduct due to a lack of state legislative clarity regarding Flock misuse. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Morgan also disputes Spencer’s recollection of their phone call. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026

Hedgepeth also disputes the board’s interpretation of the lighting restriction. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026

As strikes hit multiple Ukrainian regions and Russia’s Belgorod, Zelensky disputes claims of an energy-infrastructure truce while Moscow decorates a Baltic Sea ship captain and confirms a general’s death. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

The nonprofit Common Ground, along with current and former workers, have alleged mismanagement and data fabrication − claims Veolia disputes − prompting an independent third-party audit. — Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Lawyer Coby DuBose of Houston, who represents former safety Jacob Fields, also disputes the allegations laid out in the arrest warrant affidavit signed by TCU police Sgt. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026

In a statement on its website, Amazon disputes the allegations and says its current advertising system has saved advertisers billions of dollars. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026